# NTSB ANC89LA017: Cessna A185F, N4759E, Kasitsna Bay, AK, November 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1988, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Kasitsna Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 59.400127, -151.320312 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.4001&lon=-151.3203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA017

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS LANDING ON A BEACH TO DELIVER MAIL. HE RPRTD THAT DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT SKIPPED ABOUT 50 FT BEFORE SETTLING TO THE GROUND, THEN IT REMAINED IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND & ROLLED STRAIGHT AHEAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT THOUGHT THE NOSE-OVER MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE ACFT WHEELS HITTING A SOFT SPOT ON THE BEACH WHILE HE WAS APPLYING BRAKES. THE USABLE LANDING AREA ON THE BEACH WAS RPRTD TO BE ABOUT 900 FT. THE PLT HAD LANDED ON THE BEACH MANY TIMES DURING HIS 8 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4759E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4759E), registered now, S/N 18503865, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503865
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Cook Inlet Aviation
- Registered owner: Dennis Rothgeb
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 9,850 as pilot in command, 221 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19881114051209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881114051209A), Nov 14, 1988: Cessna A185F, Kastisna Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on a beach used for a landing strip and nosed over. Pilot believes he hit a soft spot in the sand.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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